The Talking Stick
Annotated from various sites on the net...
In days gone by and in some current tribal structures Native Americans would meet to discuss community issues such as moving for the season, hunting problems, family disent, and any complaints within the tribe. All were welcome at these Council Meetings which were, generally, precided over by the Chief of the tribe, warrior leaders, Medicine people, Elders, anyone in the tribe with an issue, and any from outside tribes who might be involved.
With such a great many people present at a meeting of this scope it was vitally important that each person have an opportunity to speak his, or her piece without interuption, redicule, or threats. The way this was done was using a Talking Stick.
As the meeting began the Chief, or other leader of the meeting welcomed the four direction, wanka tanka, and all good spirits of the earth. Then formal announcements were made about the purpose of the meeting, the area and people were smudged to rid the area of any negative energies and the Lead speaker began by picking up the Talking Stick. When he or she finished speaking the stick was passed around to the next person within the circle. Whoever held the talking stick was the only one allowed to talk.
Some tribes used a talking feather instead of a talking stick. Other tribes might have a peace pipe, a wampum belt, a sacred shell, or some other object by which they designate the right to speak. Whatever the object, it carries respect for free speech and assures the speaker he has the freedom and power to say what is in his heart without fear of reprisal or humiliation.
Whoever holds the talking stick has within his hands the sacred power of words. Only he can speak while he holds the stick; the other council members must remain silent.
The eagle feather tied to the talking stick gives him the courage and wisdom to speak truthfully and wisely. The rabbit fur on the end of the stick reminds him that his words must come from his heart and that they must be soft and warm. The blue stone will remind him that the Great Spirit hears the message of his heart as well as the words he speaks.
The shell, iridescent and ever changing, reminds him that all creation changes -- the days, the seasons, the years -- and people and situations change, too. The four colors of beads -- yellow for the sunrise (east), red for the sunset (west), white for the snow (north) and green for the earth (south) -- are symbolic of the powers of the universe he has in his hands at the moment to speak what is in his heart. Attached to the stick are strands of hair from the great buffalo. He who speaks may do so with the power and strength of this great animal.
The speaker should not forget that he carries within himself a sacred spark of the Great Spirit, and therefore he is also sacred. If he feels he cannot honor the talking stick with his words, he should refrain from speaking so he will not dishonor himself. When he is again in control of his words, the stick will be returned to him.
In many circles the tradition of the Talking Stick is still used and honored.
As with any tool, making your own Talking Stick is powerful, educational, and fun. First, you need to choose a wood type for the stick. There are many sites around that discuss the energies of trees and wood types, so do some homework and find the type of wood that appeals most to you. You could also cheat and buy a dowel from a wood-working shop; they have several kinds of wood to choose from.
If you choose to take wood from a living tree, look for fallen limbs before cutting one off. If you have to cut a branch off try to choose one that would be pruned anyways...and all the better if you take your stick during the pruning season! Take a branch that is about 12 inches long and as thick as your middle finger. Keep in mind that you might decide to put a crystal in one end of the branch, so be sure to look at the width of the branch. Remove the bark and let the branch sit in a dry place for a couple of weeks so it has time to dry out.
While it is drying begin thinking of how you want to decorate it. Do you want to carve it at all? Do you want to embed gemstones in the shaft? What kinds of feathers will you hang from it? What colors? And will you use leather pieces to string beads from it?
When you are through, set it in a window from one full moon to the next to energize it and any crystals you have put on it. And before you use it officially, smudge the stick with sweetgrass and sage and ask the Great Spirit to bless it.
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